Swing Metal? Epica vs Metropole Orchestra (Short)

Two years ago I wrote a post about my favourite symphonic metal band, Epica (Those who missed it can find it here). Although I don't want to make a habit out of posting about the same artist twice, I felt I had no other choice after listening to the song they released this week. The song titled Beyond The Matrix - The Battle is a rework of the original Beyond The Matrix, which was already a symphonic masterpiece. In this rework however Epica teamed up with the Metropole Orchestra, a Dutch hybrid orchestra playing both big band and symphonic music and one of the largest of its kind in the world. The result is a nine minute long battle between swing jazz and symphonic metal which works out surprisingly well. Although I have to admit it's not the most accessible song and requires a couple of listening sessions to really start appreciating it. I've heard it several times now but still discover new melodies and musical layers. I urge you to give it a try as well, who knows you might even like it!

Check out more of Epica on their official YouTube channel.

Symphonic Metal: Epica

I was introduced to symphonic metal in 2007 by my dad. At the time it came as quite the shock to me since up until then I'd never hear my father listen to rock music, let alone metal. But after hearing the music for the first time it all started to the make sense. The music combines the traditional metal instruments like electric guitars and heavy drums with classical instruments like strings and brass. The way in which melodies and harmonies are build up and the combination of choirs with a (usually) female lead singer give the feel of an operatic piece. My father was hooked, and so was I.

My favourite symphonic metal band is the Dutch band Epica (for whatever reason we Dutch are great at making symphonic metal). Although the band already exists since 2002 it wasn't until 2009 that I discovered their music with the songs Unleashed and Martyr of the Free Word. Especially that last one excellently showcases the duality between the animalistic grunting of Mark Jansen and the almost heavenly sounding voice of Simone Simons. A voice that is also expressed nicely in the band's more calmer songs like Solitary Ground and This is the Time.

Last month the band released its latest album titled: The Holographic Principle. It's an album in which they've again outdone themselves with epic songs (pun intended)  like Universal Death Squad and Edge of the Blade.

Other favourites: Never Enough, The Essence of Silence and Unchain Utopia.

Check out their Official YouTube Channel for more videos.